Container adapted to be inserted in a tool holder, a tool holder and a system

ABSTRACT

A system with a container ( 1 ) and a tool holder ( 20 ) having two ends ( 21, 22 ). One of the ends of the tool holder is adapted to be secured to a machine tool and the other end is adapted for attaching a cutting edge or a cutting edge carrying unit. The tool holder includes an internal cavity ( 23 ) surrounded by a cavity wall. The cavity accommodates the container. One end of the cavity is adapted for connection to a supply for a cooling medium and the other end is connected to an outlet for cooling medium. The cavity furthermore includes an opening ( 25 ) for installation of the container. At least one gap for leading the cooling medium is formed between the container and the cavity wall. The container can be installed in a machine tool, and the container can be used to accommodate one or several sensors for measuring parameters or for receiving a damping system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention concerns a container/cartridge particularlyadapted to be built into machine tools and tool holders. The containerprovides a stable and strong attachment to the tool and at the same timeprovides channels for conveying cooling medium, typically a cuttingliquid. The invention also concerns a tool holder adapted forinstallation of the above mentioned container, and a use of a containerfor accommodating sensors or damper systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

During machining, a requirement or need to build various elements intothe tool/tool holder can arise. The elements may include sensors formonitoring for instance temperature, vibrations, forces or similarproperties, or elements that imposes particular properties on the tool.Damping of vibrations is typically such a property. Such vibrationsemerge when the natural frequency of the tool is in the same frequencyarea as the force variations in the machining. The vibrations can alsoarise when the machining parameters are unfavorable and is particularlycommon when it is discontinuous cutting (typically milling).

During damping of vibrations a damping system is frequently mountedinternally in the tool. There are several patents that show such dampingsystems. Common for most of these is that they are installed directly ina cavity in the tool. The result is that the cooling medium cannot bebrought forward, or that it has to be lead through the damping systemwith dedicated tubes or other particularly designed means.

Tool holders are normally manufactured of a solid material, with outergeometries to hold cutting edges and for being fixed to a machine orclamping units. Frequently the tool has internal ducting for bringing acooling medium forward. The cooling medium (cutting liquids) is oftennecessary to perform the machining.

An example of a tool holder with a damping apparatus installed is shownin U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,438. The tool holder includes a damping elementplaced in a capsule at the forward end of the tool holder. However,attachment of the capsule is complicated and the cooling medium cannotbe brought past the tool holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a system with a container and a toolholder. The system is designed for use in connection with chip cuttingmachining and eases attachment, placement and connection of vibrationdamping devices and the localization of sensors, at the same time as acooling medium is brought forward. The tool holder has two ends. A firstend of the tool holder is adapted for being fixed to a machine tool anda second end of the tool holder is adapted for attachment of a cuttingedge. The tool holder includes an internal cavity surrounded by a cavitywall. The cavity contains the container. One end of the cavity isadapted for being connected to a supply for a cooling medium and theother end is connected to an outlet for cooling medium. The outlet istypically connected with a nozzle for leading the cooling medium towardsa cutting edge, and the inlet is typically connected with a source forcooling medium and a pump. The cavity includes an opening for installingthe container. At least one recess for leading the cooling medium isformed between the container and the cavity wall.

The recess can be made as at least one cut out in the container.

The recess can be made as at least one cut out in the cavity wall.

The recess can be made in the cavity wall and in the container.Furthermore, it is described a container, a cartridge or sleeve to beinserted in a cavity with a cavity wall in a tool holder. The containerincludes at least one central part and end parts. At least one of theend parts is releasably connected to the central part. The central partincludes an outer surface with at least one area adapted to be incontact with the cavity wall in the tool holder and at least one areaadapted for contact with a cooling fluid when the tool holder with thecontainer is in use. The area adapted for contact with the coolingmedium is adapted to abut one clearance between the outer surface of thecentral part and the cavity in the machine tool. The purpose of theclearance or clearances is to bring forward a cooling medium, forinstance a gas or typically a cutting liquid. The size of the clearancewill typically be affected by the amount of cooling medium that has topass the container.

The container may include a smooth surface and can be adapted for beinginserted in a cavity with recesses, in the cavity wall.

The at least one area of the container that is adapted to be in contactwith a cooling fluid, can be adapted to provide one clearance betweenthe outer surface of the central part and the cavity wall in the toolholder.

The central part may include an external cylindrical part with a numberof ridges placed along the cylindrical part, as these ridges provideareas for contact with the cavity of the tool holder and where the areasbetween the ridges are adapted to create the clearances for bringingforward the cooling medium between the container and the tool holder.

The cylindrical part does not necessarily have to extend along theentire length of the container. The essential feature is that thecontainer maintains a stable localization in the cavity at the same timeas fluid can pass the container.

The container will typically be cylindrical with recesses milled intothe cylinder, but other shapes may well be used. For instance, thecontainer may be shaped as a rectangular or square bar, have an ovalcross section etc. If for instance the container is oval and the cavityis cylindrical, both contact faces and recesses will be provided. Thesame can be said about a square container in a cylindrical cavity.

The at least one area for contact with the cavity in the machine toolcan form contact points placed in a circular configuration to be adaptedfor contact with a cylindrically shaped cavity in the machine tool. Thecontact points may not need to extend along the entire length of thecontainer, but can be formed by discontinuous elevations of any shape onthe outside of the container. The end parts or the lid can also form thecontact points towards the cavity wall and may include recesses forbringing forward the cooling medium.

The central part may include one or several cylindrical parts with acentral axis and the elevations can be made as ridges that extendparallel to this central axis. The elevations can be arc shaped,straight, curved or include any other suitable shape.

The central part may include one or several cylindrical portions with acentral axis, and the elevations can be shaped as ridges that extend ina spiral or helix around the central axis.

The central part may include one substantially cylindrical cavity, andone of the end parts may be integrated in the central part.

The central part may include a substantially cylindrical cavity, andboth of the end parts may be releasably connected to the central part.

That or the releasably connected end parts can be adapted with a pressfit to the central part, such that installation of the end part in thecentral part will lead to an expansion of the central part.Alternatively, other designs can be used for installation, for instancethreads, screws, bayonet joints etc.

One of the ends of the container may include a recessed section forcontact with the cavity of the machine tool.

Furthermore, the invention concerns a tool holder with two ends, whereone of the ends is adapted for being secured in a machine tool and theother end is adapted for being secured to at least one cutting edge. Thecutting edge or edges do not need to be secured directly to the holder,but can be secured in a further part or a cutting edge holding unit thatholds the edge or edges. The holder may include an internal cavity witha cavity wall. The cavity is adapted to take up a container as describedabove in that one of the ends of the cavity is connected to a supply forcooling medium and the other end is connected to an outlet for coolingmedium. The cavity includes an opening for installation of thecontainer.

The largest dimension of the container, the releasable end part of thecontainer and the internal cavity of the tool holder, can be mutuallyadapted such that the container is pressed fixedly towards the cavitywall in the internal cavity of the tool holder when the releasable endpart of the container is pressed in place in the central part of thecontainer.

The cavity wall may include recesses for leading cooling fluid insteadof, or in addition to recesses or cut outs in the container.

The internal cavity of the tool holder can be chamfered, for mutualinterfitting contact with a chamfered section of the container.

Furthermore, the invention concerns a tool holder with two ends and aninternal cavity, where one end is adapted for being fixed to a machinetool and the other end is adapted for fixing a cutting edge. The cavityis adapted to accommodate a container as described above, in that oneend of the cavity is connected to a supply for a cooling medium, and theother end is connected to an outlet for cooling medium. The cavityincludes an opening for installation of the container.

The opening for installation of the container can be directed towardsthe machine tool.

The opening for installation of the container can alternatively bedirected towards the at least one cutting edge or towards the end wherean element is situated for fixing one or several cutting edges.

The cavity may include at least one cylindrical portion for contact withthe at least one area of the container for contact with the cavity wall.

The largest dimension of the container, the releasable end part of thecontainer and the internal cavity of the tool holder can be mutuallyinterfittingly adapted such that the container is pressed towards thecavity wall and is thereby fixed in the internal cavity of the toolholder when the releasable end part of the container is pressed into thecentral part of the container.

The internal cavity of the tool holder can be chamfered for mutualinterfitting contact with the chamfered section of the container.

The invention also concerns use of a container as described above forcontaining one or several sensors for measuring parameters in connectionwith the machine tool and/or for accommodating a damping system.

According to the present invention the cutting fluid can be broughtforward on the outside of the container. Thereby it is not necessary toprovide a tube through the damping system. The damping system can beisolated inside the cartridge sleeve. The cutting liquid or air that islead past the cartridge on the outside contributes to the cooling of thecartridge and its content. The function of the damping system istherefore less affected by the heat that is supplied by the cuttingprocess, compared to similar damping systems where the cutting liquidcannot be lead on the outside of the damping system.

With a container according to the invention in combination with a toolholder according to the invention, a very simple installation of thetool can also be achieved. Few parts are required, and the use ofadhesives, sealing compounds etc. can be avoided. Furthermore, thecooling medium can be brought forward effectively. The container isgiven a cooling effect, the container is fixed well in the tool holder,and the content of the container is given good protection. The clearanceareas or the recesses of the container can be cylindrical externalrecesses. Furthermore, the recesses may be spiral shaped. The containermay also have loose lids at both ends, and the length of the container,the diameters and the remaining geometry can be adapted to the requiredneeds. Furthermore, the end face geometry can be adapted to the cavity.If needed, the elements of the container can communicate with thesurroundings through ordinary sender/receiver technology, transceivertechnology, data can be logged to an integrated memory unit of thecontainer that can be read at frequent intervals, data can be directlytransferred by slip rings on the tool holder etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of a container according to one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a container according to a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a container according to a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a container according to a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a container according to a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of a container according to a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a cross section of the tool holder according to theinvention;

FIG. 9 shows in detail a part of the cross section shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and2; and

FIG. 12 is a cut through perspective drawing of still a furtherembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference tothe drawing figures follows.

FIG. 1 shows a container 1 with a central part 2, an integrated end part3 and a releasable end part or lid 4. As can be seen in FIG. 1, thecontainer includes contact areas 5 for contact with a cavity in amachine tool, and clearance areas 6 creating a clearance in the cavityof the machine tool. The clearances 6 are shown as recesses in thecontainer 1, and these include a helical, spiral or screw configuration.These clearances are adapted for leading a cooling medium, for instancecutting liquid or air. A spiral or helical configuration can bepreferable to increase the length of the channels or clearances 6, suchthat the time the cooling medium resides around the container isincreased.

The end part 3 that is integrated in the central part is shown withrecesses 7 for contact with adapted recesses in the cavity where thecontainer 1 is to be placed.

One of the recesses 7 is shown as a conical recess to ensure that thecontainer 1 is centered and is given a fixed position without thecontainer 1 being movable in relation to the cavity where it is to beplaced.

FIG. 2 shows the container shown in FIG. 1 in cross section. Thecontainer of FIG. 2 includes a damping system 8 or a damping body. FIG.2 also shows the cross section of the lid 4 or the end part and how thisis adapted to the central part 2. The lid 4 and the geometry 10 at theend of the central part 2 is such that the lid 4 has been given adiameter 9 that is adapted to the inner diameter 10 of the central part2, such that it in one operation is possible to secure the lid 4 to themain part or central part 2 and at the same time clamp the walls of thecentral part 2 and thereby the entire container 1, to an inner wall ofthe cavity where the container 1 is to be placed. This design providesthe container with a given rigid clamping force towards the cavity wherethe container 1 is to be placed, both in a radial direction and an axialdirection. The other end part 3 of the main part or central part 2 hasbeen given a geometric shape 7 or recess that opposes the clamping forceand includes at the same time channels for leading the cooling mediumforward. Furthermore, a gradual reduction or chamfering 11 can beadapted to the inner geometry of the cavity, and/or can contribute toimproved flow conditions around the end or can improve the elasticity ofthe container at the end to accommodate tolerances between the container1 and the end part of the cavity where this is chamfered to abut thecontainer.

FIG. 2 shows the lid 4, and how the outer geometry 9 of the lid isadapted to the inner geometry 10 of the central part 2. A damping system8 is schematically shown in FIG. 2. The contact areas 5 and theclearances areas 6, channels, or recesses are clearly shown in FIG. 2.

When assembling the container 1 into the cavity of the tool, the lid 4is first placed in the central part 2, but is not pressed entirely intoits final position. The container 1 is thereafter installed in thecavity of the machine tool and is placed such that the end part 3 withthe geometry 7 abuts the end wall of the cavity. The lid 4 is thereafterpressed to its final position with a suitable tool. This provides anelastic deformation between the lid 4 and central part 2 that againprovides a clamping force towards the cavity.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a container including twointegrated end parts 3 and the damping system 8 includes a damping bodyadapted to be placed in a damping fluid. The damping body is shown withtransversal rifles to increase the influence the damping fluid has onthe damping body.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a container 1 having anintegrated end part 43, a releasable lid and a damping system 8 withparticles adapted to be placed in a damping fluid. The end part 3 thatis integrated in the central part is shown with chamfering geometry 7for contact with adapted chamfering in the cavity where the container 1is to be placed. FIG. 4 also shows the contact areas 5 for contact witha cavity in the machine tool, and the clearance areas 6 that create aclearance in the cavity in the machine tool.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a container having tworeleasable end pieces 4 and a damping system 8 including a damping body.In this embodiment, one of the end pieces is shown with a chamferinggeometry 7, channel 12 for the cooling media and a profile 9 adapted tothe central part 2.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a container provided with tworeleasable end pieces/lids 4, and an empty cavity for installation of,for instance, different measuring equipment and sensors etc.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a container 1 placed in acavity 23 in a tool holder 20, where the container 1 has a releasableend piece 4 and an integrated end piece 3. A damping system 8 includinga damping body is shown secured to two elastic bodies 13 placed insidethe container 1. The damping body is shown with two pins 14 that go intothe elastic bodies 13. Alternatively, the damping body could have hadplane ends secured with adhesive bonding or in another way secured tothe end pieces/lids 3, 4 of the container 1, such that the forces arebeing imposed on the elastic elements 13 as shear forces on the elasticelements 13 instead of in compression as shown in the figure.

The damping system 8 shown in FIG. 2 can be an ordinary damping system,and there are several patents that show such damping systems. Common forall of these is that they are assembled directly into a cavity of thetool.

The damping system 8 may include a free damping body in a damping fluid,damping masses suspended in spring systems, damping masses suspended inelastomer materials etc. The damping system may also include activedamping systems that are adjusted according to a predetermined frequencyarea (bandwidth) for the damping etc.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a tool holder 20 according to the invention.The tool holder 20 include two ends 21, 22 where one of the ends 21 isadapted to be secured to a machine tool and the other end 22 is adaptedto be secured to a cutting edge. Beyond this, the tool holder 20includes any outer geometry, common for tool holders. The tool holdersinclude channels 24 for leading a cooling fluid to the cutting edge. Acavity 23 for accommodating a container 1 according to the invention isclearly shown. The cavity is adapted for containing the container 1 inan opening 25 also forms a channel for supply of a cooling medium. Thediameter of the opening 25 is adapted to the outer diameter of thecontainer 1 as previously described. Furthermore, a second end isconnected to an outlet from the channel 24 for a cooling medium. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 8, the opening 25 is shown as a boring forinstallation of the container 1, directed towards the machine tool.However, the opening 25 may just as well be directed towards the end 22for securing the cutting edge.

FIG. 9 shows a detail of FIG. 8, where the lid 4 of the container 1 isclearly shown, and where a damping system 8 is shown placed in thecontainer 1. The areas with clearance between the container 1 and toolholder 20, defined as 6, are also clearly shown. Similarly, the contactareas 5 between the container 1 and the cavity in the tool holder 20 areshown in the figure.

FIG. 9 also shows how the end part 3 of the container 1 includes ageometry 7 that is adapted to the geometry of the cavity 23 in the toolholder 20. A channel 12 is shaped as a cut out in the end part 3contributes to leading cooling fluid from the clearance area 6 and tothe outlet of channel 24 for the cooling fluid.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, recesses are shown and the recesses form theclearance areas 6 and the contact areas 5 for contact with the cavity.As shown in FIG. 10, the recesses are parallel to the central axis ofthe container 1. The contact areas 5 and clearance areas 6 formed asrecesses are clearly shown.

Furthermore, the releasable end lid 4, the geometric shape 7 at the endof the container 1 and a further channel 12 formed as an end recess isshown.

FIG. 11 is perspective view of the container 1 as shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2. The container 1 is shown with a central part 2 having a contactarea 5 for contact with the inner cavity of a machine tool, and aclearance area 6 that forms a clearance with the container 1 and thecavity of the tool holder. FIG. 11 shows recesses that are shaped asspirals around the central axis of the container.

FIG. 12 shows a system with a container and a tool holder 20 where thecavity 23 of the tool holder is shown with clearance areas 6 formed asrecesses for leading forward the cooling medium and where the containerhas a smooth outer surface. Furthermore; the container has a dampingsystem 8 with a damping body, a lid 4, channels 24 for bring forward thecooling medium to the cutting edge and an end 22 for securing a cuttingedge.

1. A system for building various elements into a tool holder, the systemcomprising a container and a tool holder for machine tools having afirst end and a second end, the first end of the tool holder beingadapted to be fixed to a machine tool and the second end being adaptedfor attachment of a cutting element, wherein the tool holder includes aninternal cavity defined by a cavity wall, wherein the container isprovided in the cavity, wherein one end of the cavity is adapted forconnection to a supply of a cooling medium and the other end of thecavity is connected to an outlet for the cooling medium, wherein thecavity includes an opening for installation of the container, and atleast one gap for leading the cooling medium is formed between thecontainer and the cavity wall, and wherein the container is in a fixedposition without being movable in relation to the cavity.
 2. A systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the gap is formed by at least one recessin the container.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the gap isformed by at least one recess in the cavity wall.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the gap is formed in the cavity wall andin the container.
 5. A container for building various elements into atool holder, and for installation in a cavity with a cavity wall in atool holder, wherein the container includes at least a central part andend parts, wherein the end parts are connected to the central part, andwherein the central part includes an external surface with at least onecontact area adapted for contact with the cavity wall in the tool holderand at least one clearance area adapted for contact with a coolingfluid.
 6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the central partincludes a smooth surface and is adapted to be installed in the cavity,and wherein the cavity includes recesses in the cavity wall.
 7. Thecontainer according to claim 5, wherein the at least one area adapted tobe in contact with a cooling fluid is adapted to form a clearancebetween an outer surface of the central part and the cavity wall in thetool holder.
 8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the centralpart includes an external substantially cylindrical portion with anumber of elevations placed along the cylindrical portion, wherein theelevations form areas for contact with the cavity wall in the toolholder and the areas between the elevations are adapted to formclearance for bringing forward the cooling medium between the containerand the tool holder.
 9. The container according to claim 8, wherein thesubstantially cylindrical portion defines a central axis, and theelevations are formed as ridges extending parallel to the central axis.10. The container according to claim 8, wherein the substantiallycylindrical portion defines a central axis, and the elevations areformed as ridges that extend in a spiral or helix around the centralaxis.
 11. The container according to claim 5, wherein the central partincludes a substantially cylindrical cavity, and one of the end parts isintegrated in the central part and the other end part is releasablyconnected to the central part.
 12. The container according to claim 5,wherein the central part includes a substantially cylindrical cavity,and both of the end parts are releasably connected to the central part.13. The container according to claim 11, wherein the end part is pressfit to the central part, wherein the end part is releasable connectedend part, such that installation of the end part in the central partleads to an expansion of the central part.
 14. The container accordingto claim 5, wherein at least one of the end parts of the containerincludes a chamfered section for contact with the cavity wall in thetool holder.
 15. A tool holder into which a container can be installedfor building various elements into the tool holder, the containerincluding at least a central part and end parts, wherein the end partsare connected to the central part, wherein the central part includes anexternal surface with at least one contact area adapted for contact witha cavity wall in the tool holder and at least one clearance area adaptedfor leading a cooling fluid between the external surface and the cavitywall, the tool holder having a first end, a second end, and an internalcavity defined by the cavity wall, wherein the first end of the toolholder is adapted for being fixed to a machine tool and the second endis adapted for attachment of a cutting edge or cutting element carryingunit, and wherein the internal cavity is adapted to receive thecontainer so that one end of the internal cavity is connected to asupply for a cooling medium and the other end is connected to an outletfor the cooling medium, and the cavity includes an opening forinstallation of the container.
 16. The tool according to claim 15,wherein the opening for installation of the container is located in thefirst end.
 17. The tool holder according to claim 15, wherein theopening for installation of the container is formed in one of the firstand second ends of the tool holder.
 18. The tool holder according to 15,wherein the cavity wall includes at least one cylindrical portion forcontacting the at least one area of the container.
 19. The tool holderaccording to claim 15, within the largest dimension of the container,the releasable end part of the container and the internal cavity of thetool holder are mutually adapted such that the container is pressed to afixed position towards the cavity wall in the internal cavity of thetool holder when the releasable end part of the container is pressed inplace in the central part of the container.
 20. The tool holderaccording to claim 15, wherein the cavity wall includes recesses forleading a cooling fluid.
 21. The tool holder according to claim 15,wherein the internal cavity of the tool holder is chamfered, for mutualinter fitting contact with a chamfered section of the container.